2017 continues to be a year of short travel trips. I do not think that there has been ever a year with this many short trips. And the year is not yet over. Between travel and people visiting, I have forgotten the concept of weekends for all practical matters.
Travel -
- Trip to Chikamagalur with Office
It was a office party long awaited. After the Jan trip to Yercaud (if you do a short trip on the first week of the new year, it should be known that the year is going to be full of short trips). Entire bus ride both onward and backward was spent by playing Mafia. Our homestay - The hidden valley (the same one which I had recommended to everyone else except that I had never been there) was a good one. Quiet and serene with lots of greenery. Night was spent with barbeque and bonfire, with spirits and 'jahan chaar yaar' songs. Poor colleagues were sad to see my this side and I do not know if they have still come to terms with it yet. Trip was good fun.
- Delhi and Varanasi trip
While Delhi was a trip that was required, I decided to club with the long pending Varanasi trip. While Delhi was part work, part other work and remaining family visits, it is fondly remembered as I got to meet Deepti didi and her family after a long time.
Varanasi was a town exactly I had imagined it to be. Like any temple town in India, it has more people (locals + tourists) that it can accommodate, smaller streets with numerous vehicles and a city that is looking for deep cleaning. Meeting Kanishka's parents and her home was definitely the best part along with the Ganga Aarti that we explored via a kashti. Ganga Aarti is a an experience that is unique to Kashi only. The chaats were definitely delicious. The trip to Sarnath next day was ok. It was hot, humid and I was little tired.
- Independence Day Long weekend trip - Complete trip has been documented here - http://arvindbatra.blogspot.in/2017/09/independence-day-weekend-travel-2017.html
Movies -
Arrival
I saw Arrival once again at home with Aarti. I think definitely, it is the best movie since Mad Max that I have seen. The second viewing was as much rewarding as the first one minus the IMAX experience. Definitely a 5/5
Hell or High water
3.5/5 - The opening scene builds the tension aptly and gives an idea on how rest of the movie is going to be . It is a good watch especially on a Sunday precariously saved to relax.
Freaky Ali
2.5/5 - A total masala movie to be watched with family. This is this era's David Dhawan film
Dunkirk
4/5 - Loved it. Loved the storytelling, score, screenplay and everything
Raag desh -
2/5 - Good idea, badly executed. Had good hopes from Thigmanshu Dhulia, did not at all rise up to the expectations.
Wonder woman -
4/5 - Neat action movie with Gal Gadot as the lead. Good addition to the super hero genre.
Books -
Started David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest and it will be some time before it finishes :)
Events -
Attended couple of comedy shows by Bangalore comedy club. A bunch of startup comedians try out their jokes. Decent evening well spent with spirits and high spirits.
Halli Mane - A rainy breakfast trip to Halli Mane in Malleshwaram. A very good Kannadiga breakfast place. Sambhar is way better than Adigas, Idli not so much.
Family visits -
- Nani, Mama, Mani and Divya visited for a week. Made the ISCKON style Dal Torkari at home.
- Cheshta, Arun bhaiya and babhi visited.
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